Rachelle Lee Smith is an award winning, nationally and internationally shown and published photographer. She has spent the majority of her photographic career capturing images with a passion to share experiences. Rachelle’s work in Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus combines her passions for activism and photography to tell the stories of, and provide a rare insight into, the ever evolving passions, confusions, prejudices, fulfillment, joys, and sorrows of queer youth. Off the streets and into the studio, portraits are presented without judgment or stereotype by eliminating environmental influence with a stark white backdrop. The images are strengthened by the handwritten text that serves as a voice of a diverse group of youth ages 14 to 24 identifying as LGBTQ (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning).
Rachelle Lee Smith has had the fortunate experience to have this body of work be the first solo show at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) headquarters and be exhibited at the first Federal LGBT Youth Summit held by the Federal Department of education in addition to galleries, youth centers and universities.
She is excited beyond words to get this in book form.
Speaking OUT! has been awarded the Rainbow award for BEST Bisexual, Transgender & LGBT Debut
Speaking OUT! is also first runner up for the Rainbow award for Best LGBT Book and second runner up for Best LGBT Non Fiction, Poetry, Visual Arts / Photography.
@SpeakingOUT_rls
Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus
SKU: 9781629630410
Author: Rachelle Lee Smith • Foreword by Candace Gingrich • Afterword by Graeme Taylor
Publisher: PM Press/Reach and Teach
ISBN: 9781629630410
Published: 10/2014
Format: Paperback
Size: 8 x 10
Page count: 128
Subjects: Gay Studies/Photography
Praise
“Rachelle Lee Smith has created a book that is not only visually
stunning but also gripping with powerful words and even more inspiring
young people! This is an important work of art! I highly recommend
buying it and sharing it!”
—Perez Hilton, blogger and television personality
“It’s often said that our youth are our future. In the LGBT
community, before they become the future we must help them survive
today. This book showcases the diversity of creative imagination it
takes to get us to tomorrow.”
—Mark Segal, award-winning LGBT journalist
“The power of a look, a pose, and a story can be seen through
Rachelle Lee Smith’s photography and the youth who opened up their raw
emotions, insecurities, and celebrations to us all. Sharing stories
saves lives, but also reminds us that there can be continual struggle in
finding identity and acceptance.
—Ryan Sallans, author of Second Son: Transitioning Toward My Destiny, Love and Life
“Rachelle Lee Smith’s photographic project presents us with the face
and the voice of this generation of LGBT youth: they are passionate,
angry, funny, and committed. As an openly gay educational leader, I
think this project is critical—not only for young queer people, but for
their teachers, parents, mentors, and friends. We need to put this
project in libraries and schools across the country!”
—Sean Buffington, President and CEO, The University of the Arts
“These are portraits of a revolution. Photographer Rachelle Lee Smith
gives lesbian and gay youth an outlet to speak for themselves. Simple,
yet powerful photos of queer youth speak reams.”
—Advocate
“Queer youth have a powerful story to tell and Rachelle Lee Smith has
given voice to them through her stark, gorgeous photography. Speaking Out
captures the essence of LGBTQ young people – proud, visible and with
something important to say. Smith’s collection offers a glimpse of
Generation Equality you won’t easily forget.”
—Candace Gingrich, Human Rights Campaign
Book Events
april, 2024
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Reviews
- Speaking Out: Queer Youth in Focus Will Document The Lives of the Young Queer Community
- Speaking OUT: A Rainbow of Reasons We Need Diverse Books
- Speaking OUT Reviewed on PFLAGG Greensboro
- Queer Youth Challenge Society’s Attempt to Define Them in Revealing Photography Project
- A Deep Dive into Identities of Queer Teens
- Photo Essay: Speaking OUT Brings Queer Youth Experience Into Focus
- Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus: A Starred Kirkus Review
- Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus: A Starred Publishers Weekly Review
- Speaking OUT: Queer Youth in Focus Review
- Photos: Queer and Trans Youth Speak Out in The Advocate
- Speaking OUT in School Library Journal
- Speaking OUT! in Tikkun Magazine